Please note: Please enter your comments about this photograph in the form below. Once approved your comments will appear after the photograph description. To allow your e-mail address to be displayed please tick the box. If you have already submitted comments without displaying your e-mail and you wish to alter this please contact us.

Description:c1974/1975.
View from the interior of the Quarry Hill Flats complex. It shows Oastler House, named after Richard Oastler (1789-1861) who was born close by in St. Peter's Square. He campaigned on behalf of the children employed in the mills and factories and in 1847 was successful in reducing their working day to a maximum of 10 hours. The photograph of Quarry Hill Flats was taken not long before demoliton began in September 1975, so they had a life span of only 37 years or so. This was because of various structural defects and problems with the waste disposals. Quarry Hill flats housed around 3000 people in 938 separate units. The site is now occupied by the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Quarry House, the College of Music and the new BBC building. The arched gateway in this view opens onto Eastgate roundabout.

User Comments:

Name:

colin sutcliffe

Comment:

Richard Oastlers tomb is situated on the east side of St Stephens Church Kirkstall. He was a great man of the time who fought the mill owners who got rich by employing young children who were made to work long hours for low pay in very unhealthy and dangerous conditions,and many were crippled and killed at work.Through is efforts conditions were improved and the foundation of the health and safety laws were laid